The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday ruled that objections cannot be raised against the newly-demarcated constituencies after the issuance of election schedule, striking down any possibilities for a delay in the general elections, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A three-judge apex court bench led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood announced its verdict on an appeal of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the Balochistan High Court’s (BHC) decision against the demarcation of two provincial constituencies.
The BHC ordered to alter the ECP demarcations but the Supreme Court overturned the high court’s verdict and upheld the ECP’s appeal.
Justice Athar Minallah observed that how can the high court use the power which the law delegated to the ECP.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that after the release of election programme all cases relating to the constituencies have become ineffective. “The whole electoral process cannot be undermined in order to give relief to an individual. We have to draw a line in this regard,” he added.
Here, Justice Tariq Khosa intervened wondering “I don’t understand why everyone wants to prolong the election issue.”
“Let the elections take place,” the acting Chief Justice of Pakistan declared.
Justice Athar Minallah observed that there would be a flood of petitons in the Supreme Court if they give a verdict in this case. “Everything comes to a standstill when the elections schedule is out,” he said emphatically.
Justice Minallah said that the biggest test of the ECP is that February 8 elections would be transparent.
The BHC had altered ECP’s demarcation of two provincial constituencies in Zhob and Sherani which the Commission challenged in the apex court.
Reporter Amanat Gishkori